Miscibility of an acylated hepatitis A synthetic antigen derivative [palmitoyl VP3(110-121)] with lipids: a monolayer study

Mixed monolayers of an acylated derivative of hepatitis A synthetic peptide VP3(110-121) with neutral, cationic or anionic lipids were spread at the air/water interface. Deviations from ideality as well as thermodynamic values were calculated at different surface pressures using the free-excess energy, the interaction parameter and the enthalpy. The miscibility at the collapse point was also checked. Maximum deviations from ideality were found for mixtures containing the anionic lipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and it seems that the monolayer composition is not stable through compression, as the peptide is ejected from the film. Films containing neutral [dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)] or cationic [stearylamine (SA)] lipids showed more regular behaviour. As the peptide has a net negative charge it is probable that electrostatic interactions are in part responsible of the good miscibility of palmitoyl VP3(110-121) with SA. In order to prepare liposomes containing palmitoyl VP3(110–121), lipids such as SA or DPPC/SA will be a more suitable choice than anionic lipids such as PG. Received: 26 May 2000 Accepted: 22 September 2000     

Synthesis of porcine brain natriuretic peptide-32 using silver tetrafluoroborate as a new deprotecting reagent of the S-trimethylacetamidomethyl group

Silver tetrafluoroborate (AgBF4) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has been found to cleave the S-trimethylacetamidomethyl (Tacm) group or the S-acetamidomethyl (Acm) group without affecting other functional groups in the peptide chain. Newly isolated porcine brain natriuretic peptide-32 (pBNP-32) was synthesized using AgBF4 and Cys(Tacm) derivatives. The synthetic pBNP-32 had the highest chick rectum relaxant activity among the ANP-BNP families.     

Structural characterization of metallopeptides designed as scaffolds for the stabilization of nickel(II)-Fe(4)S(4) bridged assemblies by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

In earlier work, de novo designed peptides with a helix-loop-helix motif and 63 residues have been synthesized as potential scaffolds for stabilization of the [Ni(II)-X-Fe(4)S(4)] bridged assembly that is the spectroscopically deduced structure of the A-Cluster in clostridial carbon monoxide dehydrogenase. The 63mers contain a consensus tricysteinyl ferredoxin domain in the loop for binding an Fe(4)S(4) cluster and Cys and His residues proximate to the loop for binding Ni(II), with one Cys residue designed as the bridge X. The metallopeptides HC(4)H(2)-[Fe(4)S(4)]-Ni and HC(5)H-[Fe(4)S(4)]-M, containing three His and one Cys residue for Ni(II) coordination and two His and two Cys residues for binding M = Ni(II) and Co(II), have been examined by Fe-, Ni-, and Co-K edge spectroscopy and EXAFS. All peptides bind an [Fe(4)S(4)](2+) cubane-type cluster. Interpretation of the Ni and Co data is complicated by the presence of a minority population of six-coordinate species with low Z ligands, designated for simplicity as [M(OH(2))(6)](2+). Best fits of the data were obtained with ca. 20% [M(OH(2))(6)](2+) and ca. 80% M(II) with mixed N/S coordination. The collective XAS results for HC(4)H(2)-[Fe(4)S(4)]-Ni and HC(5)H-[Fe(4)S(4)]-M demonstrate the presence of an Fe(4)S(4) cluster and support the existence of the distorted square-planar coordination units [Ni(II)(S.Cys)(N.His)(3)] and [Ni(II)(S.Cys)(2)(N.His)(2)] in the HC(4)H(2) and HC(5)H metallopeptides, respectively. In the HC(5)H metallopeptide, tetrahedral [Co(II)(S.Cys)(2)(N.His)(2)] is present. We conclude that the designed scaffolded binding sites, including Ni-(mu(2)-S.Cys)-Fe bridges, have been achieved. This is the first XAS study of a de novo designed metallopeptide intended to stabilize a bridged biological assembly, and one of a few XAS analyses of metal derivatives of designed peptides. The scaffolding concept should be extendable to other bridged metal assemblies.     

The unusual binding abilities of the His-analogue of Arg-vasopressin towards Cu2+

A new vasopressin analogue, [His(1,6)]AVP, was synthesized and characterized by potentiometric measurements as well as by UV-Vis, CD and EPR spectroscopy. At the physiological pH the peptide forms a stable complex with Cu(2+) ions which is characterized by the {NH(2), N(Im), N(Im(macrochelate))} binding mode. The replacement of both Cys by His residues in the vasopressin sequence results in a very significant increase in the efficiency of Cu(2+) binding.     

Study of the Ternary Complex Formation Between Vanadium(III)-Picolinic Acid and the Amino Acids: Cysteine,Histidine, Aspartic and Glutamic Acids

The complex species formed between vanadium(III)-picolinic acid (HPic) and the amino acids: cysteine (H₂Cys), histidine (HHis), aspartic acid (H₂Asp) and glutamic acid (H₂Glu) were studied in aqueous solution by means of electromotive forces measurements emf(H) at 25 °C and 3.0 mol⋅dm⁻³ KCl as ionic medium. Data analysis using the least-squares program LETAGROP indicates the formation of ternary complexes, whose stoichiometric coefficients and stability constant were determined. In the vanadium(III)-picolinic acid-cysteine system the model obtained was: [V(Pic)(H₂Cys)]²⁺, [V(Pic)(HCys)]⁺, V(Pic)(Cys) and [V₂O(Pic)(Cys)]⁺. The vanadium(III)-picolinic acid-histidine system contained the following complexes: [V(Pic)(HHis)]²⁺, [V(Pic)(His)]⁺, V(Pic)(His)(OH) and [V(Pic)₂(HHis)]⁺. In the vanadium(III)-picolinic acid-aspartic acid system the model obtained was: V(Pic)(Asp), [V(Pic)(Asp)(OH)]⁻ and [V₂O(Pic)(Asp)]⁺ and finally, in the vanadium(III)-picolinic acid-glutamic acid system the complexes: V₂O(Pic)₂(HGlu)₂, V(Pic)(HGlu)₂ and V(Pic)₂(HGlu) were observed.     

Impact of Different [Tc(N)PNP]-Scaffolds on the Biological Properties of the Small cRGDfK Peptide: Synthesis,In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations

Background: The [^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP)] system, where PNP is a bisphosphinoamine, is an interesting platform for the development of tumor ‘receptor-specific’ agents. Here, we compared the reactivity and impact of three [Tc(N)(PNP)] frameworks on the stability, receptor targeting properties, biodistribution, and metabolism of the corresponding [^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP)]-tagged cRGDfK peptide to determine the best performing agent and to select the framework useful for the preparation of [^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP)]-housing molecular targeting agents. Methods: cRGDfK pentapeptide was conjugated to Cys and labeled with each [Tc(N)(PNP)] framework. Radioconjugates were assessed for their lipophilicity, stability, in vitro and in vivo targeting properties, and performance. Results: All compounds were equally synthetically accessible and easy to purify (RCY ≥ 95%). The main influences of the synthon on the targeting peptide were observed in in vitro cell binding and in vivo. Conclusions: The variation in the substituents on the phosphorus atoms of the PNP enables a fine tuning of the biological features of the radioconjugates. ws[^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP3OH)]– and [^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP3)]– are better performing synthons in terms of labeling efficiency and in vivo performance than the [^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP43)] framework and are therefore more suitable for further radiopharmaceutical purposes. Furthermore, the good labeling properties of the ws[^99mTc][Tc(N)(PNP3OH)]– framework can be exploited to extend this technology to the labeling of temperature-sensitive biomolecules suitable for SPECT imaging.     

Metallocyclopeptide complexes with MII(S.Cys)4 chromophores

The tetracysteinyl peptide cyclo[Lys1,12](Gln-Cys-Gly-Val-Cys-Gly-Lys-Cys-Ile-Ala-Cys-Lys) ([symbol: see text] L(Cys.SH)4) was synthesized by solid-phase methods using an Fmoc/t-Bu/allyl strategy on a PAL-PEG-PS support. The formation of the 1:1 complexes with M = Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ was observed by spectrophotometric monitoring of reactions in aqueous solution at pH 7.5. Size exclusion chromatography indicated that the peptide is a monomer and the complexes are dimers [M2([symbol: see text]L(Cys.S)4)2] in aqueous buffer at pH 7.5. Cobalt and nickel K-edge X-ray absorption data and EXAFS analysis of [Co2([symbol: see text] L(Cys.S)4)2] and [Ni2([symbol: see text] L(Cys.S)4)2] as lyophilized solids are reported. Derived bond distances are Co-S = 2.30 A and Ni-S = 2.21 A. From the collective results provided by absorption spectra, K-edges, EXAFS, and bond length comparisons with known structures, it is shown that [Fe2([symbol: see text] L(Cys.S)4)2] and [Co2([symbol: see text] L(Cys.S)4)2] possess distorted tetrahedral structures and [Ni2([symbol: see text] L(Cys.S)4)2] has distorted square planar stereochemistry. The Co(II) chromophore is particularly distinctive of the assigned structure, displaying three components of the parent tetrahedral ligand field transition 4A2-->4T1(P) (610, 685, 740 nm). The observed structures conform to the intrinsic stereochemical preferences of the metal ions. Structures for the binuclear complexes are suggested. These are the first characterized metal complexes of a cysteinyl cyclopeptide and among the few well-documented complexes of synthetic cyclopeptides. This study is a desirable first step in the design of cyclic peptides for the binding of mononuclear and polynuclear metal centers.     

Structure of subtilosin A,an antimicrobial peptide from Bacillus subtilis with unusual posttranslational modifications linking cysteine sulfurs to alpha-carbons of phenylalanine and threonine

The complete primary and three-dimensional solution structures of subtilosin A (1), a bacteriocin from Bacillus subtilis, were determined by multidimensional NMR studies on peptide produced using isotopically labeled [(13)C,(15)N]medium derived from Anabaena sp. grown on sodium [(13)C]bicarbonate and [(15)N]nitrate. Additional samples of 1 were also generated by separate incorporations of [U-(13)C,(15)N]phenylalanine and [U-(13)C,(15)N]threonine using otherwise unlabeled media. The results demonstrate that in addition to having a cyclized peptide backbone (N and C termini), three cross-links are formed between the sulfurs of Cys13, Cys7, and Cys4 and the alpha-positions of Phe22, Thr28, and Phe31, respectively. Such posttranslational linkage of a thiol to the alpha-carbon of an amino acid residue is very unusual in natural peptides or proteins. Subtilosin A (1) belongs to a new class of bacteriocins.     

Quantification of [Dmt1]DALDA in ovine plasma by on-line liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The synthetic peptide [Dmt(1)]DALDA (Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH(2); Dmt = 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine; 'super-DALDA') is a mu opioid-receptor agonist. On-line liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the corresponding stable isotope-incorporated synthetic peptide internal standard were used to quantify [Dmt(1)]DALDA that had been extracted from ovine plasma samples. The [M+2H](2+) ion was used to construct the calibration curve, and the product ion was used for verification of the peptide. The detection sensitivity for the [Dmt(1)]DALDA [M+2H](2+) ion was 12.5 fmol and 50 fmol for the m/z 432.3 product ion. The concentration profile of [Dmt(1)]DALDA was determined from a set of ovine plasma samples. The molecular specificity of the peptide quantification was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).     

Transition metals as electron traps. II. Structures,energetics and electron transfer dissociations of ternary Co,Ni and Zn–peptide complexes in the gas phase

Transition metal cations Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ form 1 : 1 : 1 ternary complexes with 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) and peptides in aqueous methanol solutions that have been studied for tripeptides GGG and GGL. Electrospray ionization of these solutions produced singly charged [Metal(bpy)(peptide ? H)]⁺ and doubly charged [Metal(bpy)(peptide)]²⁺ ions (Metal = metal ion) that underwent charge reduction by glancing collisions with Cs atoms at 50 and 100 keV collision energies. Electron transfer to [Metal(bpy)(peptide)]²⁺ ions was less than 4.2 eV exoergic and formed abundant fractions of non‐dissociated charge‐reduced intermediates. Charge‐reduced [Metal(bpy)(peptide)]⁺ ions dissociated by the loss of a hydrogen atom, ammonia, water and ligands that depended on the metal ion. The Ni and Co complexes mainly dissociated by the elimination of ammonia, water, and the peptide ligand. The Zn complex dissociated by the elimination of ammonia and bpy. A sequence‐specific fragment was observed only for the Co complex. Electron transfer to [Metal(bpy)(peptide ? H)]⁺ was 0.6–1.6 eV exoergic and formed intermediate radicals that were detected as stable anions after a second electron transfer from Cs. [Metal(bpy)(peptide ? H)] neutrals and their anions dissociated by the loss of bpy and peptide ligands with branching ratios that depended on the metal ion. Optimized structures for several spin states, electron transfer and dissociation energies were addressed by combined density functional theory and Møller–Plesset perturbational calculations to aid interpretation of experimental data. The experimentally observed ligand loss and backbone cleavage in charge‐reduced [Metal(bpy)(peptide)]⁺ complexes correlated with the dissociation energies at the present level of theory. The ligand loss in ⁺CR^? spectra showed overlap of dissociations in charge‐reduced [Metal(bpy)(peptide ? H)] complexes and their anionic counterparts which complicated spectra interpretation and correlation with calculated dissociation energies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mercury(II) cysteine complexes in alkaline aqueous solution

Mercury(II) complexes with l-cysteine (H(2)Cys) in alkaline aqueous solutions have been structurally characterized by means of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The distribution of [Hg(Cys)(n)] (n = 2, 3, and 4) species in approximately 0.09 mol dm(-3) mercury(II) solutions with H(2)Cys/Hg(II) ratios varying from 2.2 to 10.1 has been evaluated by fitting linear combinations of simulated EXAFS functions for the separate complexes to the experimental EXAFS data, aided by (199)Hg NMR and Raman results. For the [Hg(Cys)(2)](2-) and [Hg(Cys)(3)](4-) complexes and the novel four-coordinated Hg(Cys)(4) species that dominates in solutions with excess of cysteine (H(2)Cys/Hg(II) > 5), the mean Hg-S bond distances were found to be 2.35(2), 2.44(2), and 2.52(2) Angstroms, respectively. The minor amount of the linear [Hg(Cys)(2)](2-) complex that can still be discerned in solutions with ratios up to H(2)Cys/Hg(II) = 5 was derived from the distinct S-Hg-S symmetric stretching Raman band at 334 cm(-1). From (199)Hg NMR spectra, the chemical shift of the Hg(Cys)(4) species was estimated to -340 ppm with an amount exceeding 85% in the highest excess of cysteine, consistent with the EXAFS data.     

Peptide Cyclization Mediated by Metal-Free S-Arylation: S-Protected Cysteine Sulfoxide as an Umpolung of the Cysteine Nucleophile

Covalent linking of side chains provides a method to produce cyclic or stapled peptides that are important in developing peptide-based drugs. A variety of crosslinking formats contribute to fixing the active conformer and prolonging its biological activity under physiological conditions. One format uses the cysteine thiol to participate in crosslinking through nucleophilic thiolate anions or thiyl radicals to form thioether and disulfide bonds. Removal of the S-protection from an S-protected Cys derivative generates the thiol, which functions as a nucleophile. S-Oxidation of a protected Cys allows the formation of a sulfoxide that operates as an umpolung electrophile. Herein, the applicability of S-p-methoxybenzyl Cys sulfoxide (Cys(MBzl)(O)) to the formation of a thioether linkage between tryptophan and Cys has been investigated. The reaction of peptides containing Cys(MBzl)(O) and Trp with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMSA) or methanesulfonic acid (MSA) in TFA in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride (Gn ⋅ HCl) proceeded to give cyclic or stapled peptides possessing the Cys-Trp thioether linkage. In this reaction, strong acids such as TFMSA or MSA are necessary to activate the sulfoxide. Additionally, Gn ⋅ HCl plays a critical role in producing an electrophilic Cys derivative that combines with the indole by aromatic electrophilic substitution. The findings led us to conclude that the less-electrophilic Cys(MBzl)(O) serves as an acid-activated umpolung of a Cys nucleophile and is useful for S-arylation-mediated peptide cyclization.     

Detection and characterization of methionine oxidation in peptides by collision-induced dissociation and electron capture dissociation

Electron capture dissociation (ECD) and collision-induced dissociation (CID), the two complementary fragmentation techniques, are demonstrated to be effective in the detection and localization of the methionine sulfoxide [Met(O)] residues in peptides using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry. The presence of Met(O) can be easily recognized in the low-energy CID spectrum showing the characteristic loss of methanesulfenic acid (CH(3)SOH, 64 Da) from the side chain of Met(O). The position of Met(O) can then be localized by ECD which is capable of providing extensive peptide backbone fragmentation without detaching the labile Met(O) side chain. We studied CID and ECD of several Met(O)-containing peptides that included the 44-residue human growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and the human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The distinction and complementarity of the two fragmentation techniques were particularly remarkable in their effects on ANP, a disulfide bond-containing peptide. While the predominant fragmentation pathway in CID of ANP was the loss of CH(3)SOH (64 Da) from the molecular ion, ECD of ANP resulted in many sequence-informative products, including those from cleavages within the disulfide-bonded cyclic structure, to allow for the direct localization of Met(O) without the typical procedures for disulfide bond reduction followed by [bond]SH alkylation.     

Identification of Two Palmitoyl Groups in Octopus Rhodopsin

Abstract— We determined the structure and site of fatty acid incorporated in octopus rhodopsin using a combination of fluorescence label and enzymatic cleavage methods in conjunction with fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. A single peptide containing two adjacent cysteines, Cys337 and Cys338, was successfully isolated using the fluorescence from a dye conjugated to Cys345. The FAB mass spectrometric analysis of the peptide (323phe-³⁴⁰phe) revealed that two palmitoyl groups are linked to Cys337 and Cys338 via thioester bonds in octopus rhodopsin as in bovine rhodopsin.     

Deprotection of the S-trimethylacetamidomethyl (Tacm) group using silver tetrafluoroborate: application to the synthesis of porcine brain natriuretic peptide-32 (pBNP-32)

Silver tetrafluoroborate (AgBF4) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has been found to cleave the S-trimethyl-acetamidomethyl (Tacm) group or the S-acetamidomethyl (Acm) group without affecting other functional groups in a peptide chain. A newly isolated porcine brain natriuretic peptide-32 (pBNP-32) was synthesized by the combined use of the S-Tacm group and AgBF4 deprotection. The synthetic pBNP-32 was obtained in better yield by the AgBF4 procedure than by the standard I2 procedure. The synthetic pBNP-32 has the highest chick rectum relaxant activity among the known members of the atrial natriuretic peptide-brain natriuretic peptide (ANP-BNP) families. Somatostatin was also synthesized by the Fmoc-based solid-phase method using S-Tacm and AgBF4. In this synthesis, the recently developed reagent tetrafluoroboric acid (HBF4) was applied to cleave the peptide from the resin.     

Synthesis and characteristics of polydepsipeptide with pendant thiol groups

To obtain water-soluble oligodepsipeptide with pendant thiol groups, the alternating co-oligomer [oligo(Glc-alt-Cys)], consisting of glycolic acid (Glc) and L -cysteine (Cys) residues as α-hydroxy acid and α-amino acid residues, respectively, was prepared by means of ring-opening homo-oligomerization of cyclo[Glc-Cys(MBzl)] and subsequent deprotection of methoxybenzyl groups. Moreover, to modify the properties of poly(lactic acid) [poly(LA)] and to introduce pendant thiol groups to poly(LA), the terpolymer of LA, Glc, and Cys {poly[LA-(Glc-Cys)]} was synthesized through ring-opening and copolymerization of L -lactide with the protected cyclodepsipeptide, cyclo[Glc-Cys(MBzl)] and subsequent deprotection of methoxybenzyl groups. By changing the mol fraction of (Glc-Cys) unit, the solubility, thermal transition, degradation behavior of the modified poly(LA), and the water contact angle of its film could be varied. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1283–1290, 1998     

The synthesis of phosphopeptides via the Bpoc-based approach

The 2-(p-biphenylyl)-2-propyloxycarbonyl (Bpoc) group was examined as an N(alpha)-protecting group in the stepwise assembly of the MAP Kinase ERK2 [178-188; Thr(P)(183), Tyr(P)(185)] peptide. The mild acid deprotection of the Bpoc group permitted (i) incorporation of a fully protected phosphothreonyl derivative and (ii) a TFA-based final cleavage step. The first five C-terminal residues (184-188) were incorporated in the Fmoc mode of peptide synthesis, with all subsequent amino acids coupled as their Bpoc-Xxx-OH derivatives. The target product was obtained in high purity and yield, indicating that a Bpoc-based approach to phosphopeptide synthesis was compatible with both the acid-labile side chain protecting groups employed and Hmp-Wang resin.     

Peptide derivatization as a strategy to form fixed-charge peptide radicals

As a means of generating fixed-charge peptide radicals in the gas phase we have examined the collision-induced dissociation (CID) chemistry of ternary [Cu(II)(terpy)(TMPP-M)]2+ complexes, where terpy = 2,2':6'2'-terpyridine and TMPP-M represents a peptide (M) modified by conversion of the N-terminal amine to a [tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphonium]acetamide (TMPP-) fixed-charge derivative. The following modified peptides were examined: oligoglycines, (Gly)n (n = 1-5), alanylglycine, glycylalanine, dialanine, trialanine and leucine-enkephaline (YGGFL). The [Cu(II)(terpy)(TMPP-M)]2+ complexes are readily formed upon electrospray ionization (ESI) of a mixture of derivatized peptide and [Cu(II)(terpy)(NO3)2] and generally fragment to form transient peptide radical cations, TMPP-M+*, which undergo rapid decarboxylation for the simple aliphatic peptides. This is contrasted with the complexes containing the unmodified peptides, which predominantly undergo fragmentation of the coordinated peptide. These differences demonstrate the importance of proton mobility in directing fragmentation of ternary copper(II) peptide complexes. In the case of leucine-enkephaline, a sufficient yield of the radical cation was obtained to allow further CID. The TMPP-YGGFL+* ion showed a rich fragmentation chemistry, including CO2 loss, side-chain losses of an isopropyl radical, 2-methylpropene and p-quinomethide, and *a1 and *a4 sequence ion formation. In contrast, the even-electron TMPP-YGGFL+ ion fragments to form *a(n) and *b(n) sequence ions as well as the [*b4 + H2O]+ rearrangement ion.     

Reaction of a 6-dimethylaminopentafulvene with the Mes2PCH2CH2B(C6F5)2 frustrated Lewis pair

The frustrated Lewis pair Mes(2)PCH(2)CH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(2) reacts readily with 6-dimethylamino-6-methylfulvene at room temperature to yield the trans-1-[B(C(6)F(5))(2)]-2-[CH(2)CH(2)PMes(2)] disubstituted fulvene derivative 9 that features an internal N-B contact. Thermolysis (80 °C in toluene) results in a complete isomerization to the respective 1-[B(C(6)F(5))(2)]-3-[CH(2)CH(2)PMes(2)] isomer 10. Both compounds were characterized by using X-ray diffraction. A reaction scheme is formulated to rationalize the specific formation of these compounds, involving a retro-hydroboration/hydroboration sequence. The reaction of the 6-dimethylaminofulvene with HB(C(6)F(5))(2) yielded the corresponding parent compound 13 that was also characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Luminescent Bimetallic IrIII/AuI Peptide Bioconjugates as Potential Theranostic Agents

Diverse iridium peptide bioconjugates and the corresponding iridium/gold bimetallic complexes have been synthesized starting from a cyclometallated carboxylic acid substituted Ir^III complex [Ir(ppy)₂(Phen-5-COO)] by solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The selected peptide sequences were an enkephalin derivative Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu together with the propargyl-substituted species Tyr-Gly-Pgl-Phe-Leu to allow gold coordination (Pgl: propyrgyl-glycine, HC≡C-Gly), and a specific short peptide, Ala-Cys-Ala-Phen, containing a cysteine residue. Introduction of the gold center has been achieved via a click reaction with the alkynyl group leading to an organometallic Au−C(triazole) species, or by direct coordination to the sulfur atom of the cysteine. The photophysical properties of these species revealed predominantly an emission originating from the Ir complex, using mixed metal-to-ligand and ligand-to-ligand charge transfer excited states of triplet multiplicity. The formation of the peptide bioconjugates caused a systematic redshift of the emission profiles. Lysosomal accumulation was observed for all the complexes, in contrast to the expected mitochondrial accumulation triggered by the gold complexes. Only the cysteine-containing Ir/Au bioconjugate displayed cytotoxic activity. The absence of activity may be related to the lack of endosomal/lysosomal escape for the cationic peptide conjugates. Interestingly, the different coordination sphere of the gold atom may play a crucial role, as the Au−S(cysteine) bond may be more readily cleaved in a biological environment than the Au−C(triazole) bond, and thus the Au fragment could be released from or trapped in the lysosomes, respectively. This work represents a starting point in the development of bimetallic peptide bioconjugates as theranostics and in the knowledge of factors that contribute to anti-proliferative activity.